Spotify buys SoundTrap: A new age in online music production and streaming?

Not content to own the streaming rights to all our music Spotify wants to own the tools that create the music. SoundTrap is a cool online DAW that runs on everything - I can see why they like it.

KHDK Ghoul Jr Mini Overdrive guitar pedal: A purple monster?

A new mini version of the original Ghoul Screamer overdrive pedal, will Kirk's new mini monster have enough gain to make your pedalboard quake in fear?

Best free plug-ins this week: Snapshot, U-He Repro 5, Stagecraft Infinity

This week, we are blessed with an useful tool - Snapshot - along with two superb synthesizers. One's the Repro 5 by U-He, the other is Stagecraft Infinity, a thoroughly modern sample-based synth...

Is Old Blood Noise Endeavors’ Excess the most flexible guitar pedal out there?

With high gain distortion, lush chorus and slapback delay in a series or parallel signal path, does the Excess have it all? Well, it sure does cram a lot into one pedal...

Eddie Van Halen’s $100k FrankenStrat stolen!

Eddie Van Halen's iconic striped Franken Strat has been stolen whilst on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in San Antonio USA.

Manson MD-2 Mikey Demus Signature: Crushing orange tones?

Available in both left and right-handed models and a beautifully bright Satin Orange Candy that will make your mouth water, this new Mansons Guitar Works model looks very tasty indeed.

Erica Synths release limited edition Acid Simona VCF based on Polivoks

To celebrate an awesome classical and electronic collaboration in Latvia's first techno opera Erica Synths have released a startling limited edition of their Polivoks VCF - meet Acid Simona VCF.

Fender and Ed O’Brien from Radiohead launch EOB Stratocaster with Sustainer

At times ethereal and ambient, at others dystopian and aggressive, Ed O’Brien’s contributions to Radiohead's music has been made on a guitar just like this

Launchpad Arcade: blast some loop action in your browser

Now you can remix other people's loop packs on any computer in the cool, browser-based Launchpad Arcade from Novation Music. You can even use it with the hardware Launchpad if you have it.

Abletunes EQ WISE+ is a parametric EQ with built-in frequency cheat sheets

EQ WISE+ is an 8-band parametric equalizer with an educational purpose - it's got built-in interactive instrument frequency charts to help you with the delicate task of equalization...

Black Rooster Audio VPRE-73: a very affordable Neve 1073 preamp emulation

Black Rooster Audio released a very affordable emulation of the classic Neve 1073 pre-amp. Though it's not a one-on-one clone, the VPRE-73 Silk Edition aims to deliver the same enhancements to the sound...

UAD Software 9.4 is here with Distressor sim and exclusive plug-ins by Softube & Brainworx

With the latest 9.4 update to its DSP-bound plug-in suite, UAD is introducing new plug-ins from Softube, Brainworx, and Townsend labs, alongside an "exact recreation" of the Empirical Labs Distressor...

Teenage Engineering, smart speakers, China and cake

Teenage Engineering have been working with Chinese company Raven to produce artificially intelligent smart speakers the likes of which you've never seen. Currently, H and R only speak Chinese and love cake.

Wampler Paisley Drive Deluxe: Brad Paisley, The Underdog and the Paisley Drive

Wampler's relationship with Brad Paisley goes back to a time way before his original signature Paisley Drive pedal and this decently priced new 'Paisleydog' mixes two into one pedal.

Special Edition Throbbing Gristle TG ONE sample player module

TipTop Audio have been working with Throbbing Gristle's Chris Carter to curate a unique version of their ONE sample player. The TG ONE comes with new modes and 2 exclusive cards packed with TG samples.

Steinberg unveils 9.5 updates to Cubase Pro, Artist, and Elements

Version 9.5 brings a new mixing engine with 64-bit resolution for greater performance and even cleaner audio. The single-window layout now sees the addition of file browser and other useful panels to the ...

Apogee outs Mic Plus digital condenser microphone for Windows, Mac, and iOS

Apogee annonced an update to its digital condenser microphone, the Mic 96k. The new Mic Plus offers several improvements, in addition to the well-known Apogee preamp and A/D converter...

Guitar Jo – Make your guitar sound like a banjo!

This new gadget for your guitar will make it sound like a banjo, yes, a banjo. Its makers are currently looking for funding via Kickstarter - will you be tempted to give one a roll?

AIR sets off its Boom drum machine as stand-alone plug-in

features 10 electronic drum kits that pay homage to classics like the 808, 909, 606 and CR78. Each kit has 10 different drum sounds with adjustable pan, volume, tuning, and decay. They can be mixed and ...

Modor Eurorack Formant Filter is ready to morph your vowels

The Formant Filter from the Modor NF-1 is now available as a Eurorack module. It sounds every bit like you are running your oscillator through someone's throat.

CMixer digital mixer for live, DAW free mixing through your computer

With CMixer you could mix all your external hardware drum machines, synths and modular through your audio interface to your computer with plug-ins and EQ without having to mess about in a DAW.

Alter Audio Timetosser boxes in real-time audio slicing, dicing, and re-sampling

Timetosser is a ready to go re-sampling maschine - not that a Kaoss Pad or an iPad with effects apps won't be able to get you the same effects, but they can't beat this little box's immediacy...

BlinkWheel: Electromechanical step sequencer controlled by LEDs

Hackspace experimenter Koka Nikoladze has constructed the BlinkWheel electromechanical step sequencer that's programmed by the placement of LEDs that blink and trigger samples as the wheel turns.

TBProAudio DynaRide tames those troublesome loud or quiet parts

DynaRide probably won't smash drums in the style of a 1176, but might end up sounding cool and useful for other things - like more "surgical", mix leveling work. It looks modern, but with a vintage edge...